Kerala

During my stay at Shanti Bhavan, there was a week long break for the teachers at the school as a result of the term end. I had the privilege of visiting Helen, one of the Indian teachers I work with, in her home town outside of Kottayam in the Kerala.

Kerala is such a beautiful state. This state has the highest literacy and life expectancy rate when compared to all of the other states within India as well as considered least corrupt. 

 Fish is often sold in the local outdoor market. Very different than the practices of the U.S.

This guy was multitasking very well. Smoking while preparing some roasted peanuts for sale. 

The backwaters located in Alleppey are one of the must sees within Kerala.

Here is a house boat that is common for tourists to rent for a few hours or even an entire day. Some even serve meals. 

This one seems to be out of business. 

The Kerala lottery tickets are sold on almost every corner! This lottery system is unique in that it is run by the government in order to use the money to fund public infrastructure as well as provide the poor with a source of money. 

Kerala has many gorgeous beaches! This one is in the city of Alleppey near the backwaters. 

Sand-mermaid. :)

Kerala also has many paddy fields as one of the main agricultural focuses. Here is one rice field in the backyard of Helen's Aunt's house.

Helen's mother participates in a local women's group which focuses on micro finance projects provided by funding form the government. 

I did not see a lot of Kerala, but I was able to meet a lot of Helen's family and get to know the Kerala culture from a local including awesome food!

Here are some of my Kerala favorites:

This is called Idiyappum and it is made with rice noodles, coconut and sugar. 

Puttu is a steamed rice cake that has bits of coconut cooked inside. It is often served with steamed bananas. 

You can't come to Kerala without trying their fish fry. It is amazing!

I took the train from Kottayam up north to the airport in Cochin. I sat in the woman's compartment. Generally, the women were very friendly and quite surprised to see a foreigner. 

In the end, I had a really great trip to Kerala and am thankful to Helen and her family for showing me such warmth and hospitality. I felt so incredibly welcomed!